Jongerius, who is regarded as one of the most innovative and creative designers working today, explores new visions for design, craft, art and technology in her products for everyday life. She creates unique pieces using industrial processes and archetypal forms, explaining: “Why should I design anything new if certain forms have long proved their usefulness? An archetypal vase is, to me, round-bellied and has a narrow neck. They have been made that way for hundreds of years and for a good reason. . . . You consciously avoid designing new forms, but you add a new dimension, a different function or a different story. . . . When I get a commission from Maharam, I don’t rush to my drawing board to design a snazzy new pattern. I pore through the archives, use existing patterns, and add a new concept to them”.